Cesc Fabregas, who represented the likes of Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea in his playing career, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.
Cesc Fabregas, who represented the likes of Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea in his playing career, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36. The Spanish international made the announcement on his social media account, Twitter. (More Football News)
"It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots," Fabregas posted.
"This charming football team won my heart from the first minute and came to me at the perfect time in my career.
"So after 20 incredible years full of sacrifice, dedication and joy, it's time to say thank you and goodbye to the beautiful game.
"I loved every minute."
Fabregas's playing career saw him lift silverware at club level as well as on the international front. The 36-year-old has won the World Cup with Spain and also lifted the the Premier League twice at Chelsea and La Liga with Barcelona.
He ended his playing career one year into a two-year contract with Italian club Como in Serie B. However, the former Arsenal captain said he will now take on the reins as a coach by coaching Como's reserve and youth teams.
"It's not all sadness, though, as I'm now going to cross the white line and start coaching the B and Primavera teams of Como 1907," he added. "A club and a project I couldn't be more excited about.
After joining Arsenal from Barcelona’s youth academy, he became the London club’s youngest player when he made his debut in a League Cup game in October 2003 at the age of 16 years, 177 days.
He went on to become Arsenal captain but left the club to return to Barcelona in 2011, a year after after helping Spain win the World Cup in South Africa.
He was also a part of the Spain teams that won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
At Barcelona he won the 2012-13 Spanish league title but left the club to return to the Premier League with Chelsea a year later, helping the Blues to the league crown in 2015 and 2017.
He moved to French league club Monaco in 2019, where he played 68 times before signing for Como last summer.